Indie superstars Pulp returned to Dublin's 3Arena on Tuesday night (10th June 2025), bringing with them a string ensemble to bolster their sizable catalogue of hits. Playing only the second date in support of their first album in twenty-one years, Jarvis Cocker and co were in fiercely fine form.
Photo: Darren McLoughlin.
Nostalgia for the 1990s has never been more fervent. With the Gallagher brothers finally coming back together and reuniting Oasis, and a new album from Pulp in 2025- their first in over two decades - it's almost as if the millennium never happened.
Releasing new material was always going to be a risky move, but in 'More', Pulp have delivered a set of songs that has deservedly received universal acclaim. Celebrating the album that "only came out five days ago", and has at the time of writing, yet to chart, Tuesday night's show focused heavily on 'More', as well as delivering all of their biggest hits, and a few fan favourites.
Although only the second date of the 'You Deserve More' tour, arriving on stage to infectious lead single 'Spike Island'. the augment four piece appeared confident and relaxed, as the song's irresistible groove kicked in.
Backed by an ensemble that included a string orchestra, a duo of backing vocalists, a percussion section and more, the band sounded huge from the off, with the catalogue tracks that came later really benefitting from the full score accompaniment.
Right at the front and centre, prancing, posing, and looking every inch the schoolmaster was Jarvis Cocker, his storytelling style and pointed gesturing making him impossible to take your eyes off. "How are you? Thanks for coming out", he said casually, greeting the crowd, before stating; "we're going to entertain you, alright?"
Presented theatrically, with red curtain draping the stage and some impressive animated backdrops, the show followed a thread, with the band taking the audience on a journey back to The Limit Nightclub in Sheffield for a trio of tracks that included seductive newie 'Slow Jam', classic single 'Sorted for E's & Wizz' and a truly euphoric 'Disco 2000', which, unsurprisingly caused a huge surge in energy.
Where 'F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E.' was awesomely powerful, and 'Help the Aged' a beautiful lament - and increasingly relevant given its twenty-seven year vintage - it was 'This is Hardcore' that proved a real set one highlight. A dark and twisted Spector-esque masterpiece, the staging of the red curtains, sparkling chandelier, and onscreen dancers set the mood, while the orchestral strings added a true gravitas.
Releasing new material was always going to be a risky move, but in 'More', Pulp have delivered a set of songs that has deservedly received universal acclaim. Celebrating the album that "only came out five days ago", and has at the time of writing, yet to chart, Tuesday night's show focused heavily on 'More', as well as delivering all of their biggest hits, and a few fan favourites.
Although only the second date of the 'You Deserve More' tour, arriving on stage to infectious lead single 'Spike Island'. the augment four piece appeared confident and relaxed, as the song's irresistible groove kicked in.
Backed by an ensemble that included a string orchestra, a duo of backing vocalists, a percussion section and more, the band sounded huge from the off, with the catalogue tracks that came later really benefitting from the full score accompaniment.
Right at the front and centre, prancing, posing, and looking every inch the schoolmaster was Jarvis Cocker, his storytelling style and pointed gesturing making him impossible to take your eyes off. "How are you? Thanks for coming out", he said casually, greeting the crowd, before stating; "we're going to entertain you, alright?"
Presented theatrically, with red curtain draping the stage and some impressive animated backdrops, the show followed a thread, with the band taking the audience on a journey back to The Limit Nightclub in Sheffield for a trio of tracks that included seductive newie 'Slow Jam', classic single 'Sorted for E's & Wizz' and a truly euphoric 'Disco 2000', which, unsurprisingly caused a huge surge in energy.
Where 'F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E.' was awesomely powerful, and 'Help the Aged' a beautiful lament - and increasingly relevant given its twenty-seven year vintage - it was 'This is Hardcore' that proved a real set one highlight. A dark and twisted Spector-esque masterpiece, the staging of the red curtains, sparkling chandelier, and onscreen dancers set the mood, while the orchestral strings added a true gravitas.
Photo: Darren McLoughlin.
With the lights dimming, act two began. "Thanks for not going home", said Cocker, with deadpan delivery; "we've come out to get a better look at you". Stripping things right back, the set began with the four-piece - completed by guitarist Mark Webber, keys player Candida Doyle, and drummer Nick Banks - coming to the front of the stage for an intimate acoustic run through 'Different Class' high point 'Something Changed'.
With 'Dishes' winning out over '59 Lyndhurst Grove' in the interval fan vote - to the disappointment of Candida, according to Jarvis - the singer's status as the common peoples' poet was revealed, and even two and a half decades later it's hard not to marvel at its "I am not Jesus though I have the same initials" lyrical genius.
From then on it was a full-on throwback, with a flawless run that included some of the greatest singles of the 1990s, from 'Do You Remember the First Time?, to 'Mis-Shapes' - dedicated to; "pretty much, everybody in this room", a euphoric 'Babies', and glorious closer 'Common People'.
Coming back for an informal encore of a "soft goodbye" that saw the entire ensemble assemble front of stage for an acoustic singalong to 'A Sunset', the band signed off with Jarvis saying simply; "thank you very much, Dublin. Thanks for being here".
Pulp remain a British national treasure in indecently good form. Gallaghers, it's over to you.
Check out our gallery from the show. All photos by Darren McLoughlin.
With 'Dishes' winning out over '59 Lyndhurst Grove' in the interval fan vote - to the disappointment of Candida, according to Jarvis - the singer's status as the common peoples' poet was revealed, and even two and a half decades later it's hard not to marvel at its "I am not Jesus though I have the same initials" lyrical genius.
From then on it was a full-on throwback, with a flawless run that included some of the greatest singles of the 1990s, from 'Do You Remember the First Time?, to 'Mis-Shapes' - dedicated to; "pretty much, everybody in this room", a euphoric 'Babies', and glorious closer 'Common People'.
Coming back for an informal encore of a "soft goodbye" that saw the entire ensemble assemble front of stage for an acoustic singalong to 'A Sunset', the band signed off with Jarvis saying simply; "thank you very much, Dublin. Thanks for being here".
Pulp remain a British national treasure in indecently good form. Gallaghers, it's over to you.
Check out our gallery from the show. All photos by Darren McLoughlin.
